Windmill mechanism.



No. 718,667. PATENTED JAN. 20, 1903.

J. M'. SMITH. u WIN DMILL MECHANISM.

APPLIGATION FILED-0013.13, 1902.

10 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED- JAN. 20, 1903.

J. M. SMITH. WINDMILL MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 001213, 1902.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H0 MODEL.

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'//V//7!HIINIIIIIIIIIIIIH ifiiizelswesa' No. 718,667. PATENTED JAN. 20, 1903. I

JIM. SMITH.

WINDMILL MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 00113, 1902.

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ihvirnn STATES ATENT OFFICE.

JAMES M. SMITH, OF FARMLAND, INDIANA.

WINDIVHLL MECHANISM.

SPEGIFIUATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 718,667, dated January 20, 1903.

' Application filed October 13,1902. Serial No. 127,166. (No model.)

To aZZ whmn it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES M. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Farmland, in the county of Randolph and State of Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Windmill Mechanisms; and I do declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

My invention relates to windmills, and is more particularly designed to provide an improved construction of the mechanism whereby many advantages are obtained, as will hereinafter appear.

The object of my present invention,broadly speaking, is the provision of a mechanism of the class stated which will produce a constant positive power convertible into reciprocating motion adapted to perform various kinds of work.

Another object is to provide a windmill mechanism in which a maximum of mechanical energy will be developed with a minimum of power applied.

Another object is to provide a windmill mechanism or engine composed of a minimum of mechanical parts consistent with the work which it is adapted to perform which will be neat and attractivein appearance, strong and durable in construction, and capable of a wide scope of usefulness and efficiency.

Another object is the provision of an article of manufactu re,a windmill mechanism,which can be manufactured and sold ata comparatively low price.

Another object is the provision of a windmill mechanism which will be simple in character, compact in form, easily operated and maintained, and whereby the operations of the several parts will be performed with certainty and precision.

Another object is the provision of a windmill mechanism composed of interdependent and cooperating parts so arranged and combined as to produce an unvarying flexible even source of power. Another object is the provision of a windmill mechanism in which the operation of throwing the mechanism in and out of gear, throwing the wind-wheel facing or edgewise to the wind, is accomplished with a simple, practical, and inexpensive mechanism composed of a minimum of mechanical parts, easily operated and maintained, simple, and easily operated.

. Other objects and advantages will appear from the following specification and from the drawings forming a part thereof.

The invention consists in a windmill mechanism embodying certain novel, useful, and peculiar details of construction and relative disposition of parts, as hereinafter particularly set forth; and it further consists in the legitimate combinations of the features referred to with reference to each other and with other features not yet alluded to and in numerous other subordinate but important combinations and also in certain specific constructions, all of which will be fully described hereinafter.

I attain the above and other objects and subordinate features by the mechanisms and arrangements of parts illustrated in the drawings forming a part of this specification, in which like indices of reference denote and refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows the elevation of one side of my mechanism, and Fig. 2 shows the elevation of the opposite side of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail View of a portion of the device for throwing the mechanism in and out of position to be operated by the wind-wheel. Fig. 4 is a central vertical section of my mechanism, taken on the lines XX, of Figs. 1 and 2, taken in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 5 is a central horizontal section of my mechanism, taken on the lines Y Y of Figs. 1 and 2, taken in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 6 is a view showing the plan of the under side of the movable plate 4. Fig. '7 is a view showing the plan of the upper surface of the stationary plate 1. Fig. 8 is a detail elevation of the vane for throwing the wind-wheel in and out of operative position with the wind, the manner of connecting the vane and its operative mechanism to my mechanism; and Fig. 9 is a vertical plan of the same. Fig. 10

is a view showing the under side of the stationary plate 1, with the supporting-posts in section.

A represents four derrick-posts rising from the ground, on the upper ends of which is secured a permanent round plate 1. Around the periphery of the plate 1 is a channel 2 with perpendicular sides, and through the center of the plate 1 is an aperture 3.

4 represents a circular plate adapted to rest on and cover the plate 1, with a flange 5 integral thereof extending down therefrom for a distance substantially the thickness of the plate 1, forming a circular cavity of same contou rand onlyslightlylarger than the plate 1, in which said plate 1 is adapted to operate.

6 represents an aperture through the center of the plate 4 and in alinement with the aperture 3.

Extending horizontally into the flange 5, on a line with the channel 2, are a plurality of machine-bolts 9, threaded therein, and their points being adapted to extend loosely into the channel 2, as shown in Fig. 5.

In the upper face of the plate 1, equidistant from the periphery, is ahalf-round channel 7, and in the lower face of the plate 4 is a similar oppositely-disposed channel 8, the two channels formingacircular space adapted to receive balls at at frequent distances apart therein, said balls being of asize to keep the plates 1 and 4 a slight distance apart.

Secured on the upper surface of the plate 4 and rising therefrom a little to one side of the aperture 6 is the main frame of my device,

(represented by numeral 10,) which consists of a circular member with a large circular aperture therein, a base 10, extending down therefrom by which it is secured to the plate 4, and an arm 10, extending out from one side thereof. The circular aperture in the frame lOis adapted to contain an epicycloidal mechanism by which I obtain a vertical parallel reciprocating motion from a circular motion, and it consists of a fixed ring 11, with teeth 11' on the inside, lugs 11, 11", and 11 extending out from the ring with small openings therein to receive bolts or screws. Said lugs are sunken in corresponding spaces in the frame 10, so that the face of the frame 10 will be flush with the ring 11, as shown, the thickness of the ring 11 being only half the thickness of the frame 10.

12 represents a circular plate of substantially the same size as the ring 11. A central axle 13 extends out from the center of one side thereof, and bevel gear-teeth 14 extend out from the outer edge of its face, as shown.

Pivoted to the plate 12 on the side opposite to the gear-teeth 14 is a gear-wheel 15, of half the diameter of the gear-teeth 11, with which it is adapted to engage, secured by the pivot 16, fastened in the plate 12. Secured to the center fiange,extending out from the wheel 15, is an arm 17, which extends slightly beyond the periphery of the wheel 15, its outer end having a pivot 18 extending out therefrom,

which pivot is located central of the ring 11 when the arm 17 is horizontal. Connected to the pivot 18 is the perpendicular shaft 19, which extends down therefrom through openings 6 and 3 toa working point. (Not shown.)

20 represents the spider, with three radiating arms, the center of the spider being provided with an opening in which is journaled the axle 13, by which the plate 12 is revolubly contacted with the ring 11. The outer ends 20, 20", and 20 of the arms of the spider are provided with openings to receive bolts or screws which are disposed opposite to the openings in the lugs 11*, 11", and 11, and I provide corresponding openings through the frame 10 by which the spider 20 and the fixed ring 11 may be secured on opposite sides of the frame 10 by bolts passing through said openings. Extending out from the center portion of the spider, between two of the arms parallel with the arm 10", is a round protuberance 21, with a conical cavity in its end flaring outward adapted to receive therein the corresponding conical point of the shaft 22, for which it forms a bearing.

The arm 10 forms the lower half of aboxing to receive the shaft 22, the upper removable half 23 of the boxing being secured thereto by bolts, as shown, a long space being formed in the boxing in which to inclose a portion of the shaft 22. Secured to the shaft 22 at a point directly over the bevel gearteeth 14 and adapted to engage therewith is the bevel gear wheel or pinion 24. On the outer end of the shaft 22 a Wind-wheel (not shown) may be secured to furnish motive power. It will now be apparent that as the shaft 22 is revolved the pinion 24 will be revolubly carried thereby and that the plate 12 will be revolved at right angles thereto by means of the teeth 14 engaging the pinion 24. As the plate 12 is revolved the pivot 16 will carry the wheel15 revolubly thereon, and the teeth of the wheel 15 engaging the teeth 11 the wheel 15 will be carried around the inside of the ring 11. By the movement just described it will be apparent that the pivot 18, which carries the shaft 19, will at all times be carried vertically in a direct perpendicw lar line, by which the circular motion of the shaft 22 is converted into a vertical reciproeating motion of the shaft 19.

By the mechanism described and shown it is apparent that the plate 4 and the parts above connected thereto may be revolved horizontally and circumferentially, the balls a, operating in the grooves 7 and 8, making this operation easy and practical, while the bolts 9, engaging in the channel 2, will prevent the movable parts from becoming accidentally detached from the stationary parts.

On the side opposite to the shaft 22 the frame 10 is provided with a perpendicularedge 10, and extending out at right angles therefrom, near the top and bottom, are the hinge members 50 and 51, with openings therethrough to receive the long bolt 52.

IIO

53 represents a vane of any suitable construction, with upper and lower edge members 53 and 53 extending out therefrom, as shown, said extensions being spaced to rest on the respective hinge members 50 and 51,

with corresponding openings therethrough to receive the bolt 52, thus hinging the vane 53 at one end to the frame 10, as shown.

The upper edge of the frame 10 is formed at right angles to the edge 10 and rising therefrom are two hangers 54 and 55, in which is mounted the horizontal shaft 56. Secured to the outer end of the shaft 56 is the miter gear-wheel 57.

Extending out from one side of the member 53, opposite the bolt 52, is an arm 58, and secured to the outer end of said arm and extending in a curve to the inner end of the member 53 is a miter gear-plate 59, adapted to mesh with the mitergear-wheel 57.

Extending out from the frame 10, near the upper end of the edge 10, is a long shankeye 60, and secured near the innerend of the side of the member 53' is an eye 61. Extending between and secured in the eyes 60 and 61 is a coil-spring 62, adapted to normally keep the vane 53 extended parallel with the frame 10.

Secured to and extending upward and outward from the shaft 56 is an arm 63, in the free end of which is formed an eye 63, and secured in the eye 63 is a wire 6-}, which extends down through the eye 65 in the plated to near the ground.

It is apparent that the vane being extended, as shown in the drawings, it Will be at right angles to the wind-wheel, (not shown,) which wheel should be mounted on the shaft 22, and then in this position the wheel will be held facing the wind. Should the wire 64 be pulled down, it will cause the arm 63 to turn at right angles to its normal position, which will turn the shaft 56 and the wheel 57, and it in turn the plate 59, which will turn the vane 53 laterally at right angles to its former position,thus throwing the wind-wheel edge wise to the wind.

66 represents a tube secured in the aperture 6 of the plate 4 and extending down therefrom, with a flange 67 extending out and around the lower end thereof, said tube being adapted to revolve freely in the aperture 3 of the plate 1, and the shaft 19 is adapted to operate endwise and loosely through said tube 66, all as shown in Fig. 4.

Secured between the posts A, a short distance below the plate 1, is a spider 68, with an opening through its center of a size to loosely surround the tube 66, with the flange 67-contacting with the under side of the spider, as shown, by which arrangement the mechanisms above the posts are supported and more securely kept in place.

My invention is especially designed for use in connection with windmills or engines substantially as described and shown; but it is evident that it may also be used for other purposes and in other ways where it is desirable to convert rotary motion into parallel reciprocating motion, or vice versa.

My invention is perfectly adapted to accomplish the results for which it is intended,and it is evident that changesin and modifications of the specific construction herein shown and described maybe made and that analogous parts may be used to accomplish the same results without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing any of its many ad vantages, and the specific construction'of the details of my mechanism in which novel features are embodied may be variously changed without altering the essential principles which are claimed as new.

The terms upward, downward, and other similar terms are used for convenience of description, and it is notintended by their use to limit the arrangement of the several parts to the relative positions indicated; but they may be variously changed and modified to suitthe various requirements for which my mechanism may be used.

I wish it understood that I do not dedicate any part of my invention to the public and that I wish adequate and just protection for every feature of my invention and the parts herein shown and described that is new and which involves invention.

Having now fully shown and described my invention and the best mode for its construction and use to me known at this time, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a windmill mechanism the combination, a derrick rising from the ground, a fixed plate mounted on the apex of the derrick, a movable plate revolubly mounted over the fixed plate, a frame 10 rising from the movable plate, an epicycloidal mechanism mounted in said frame, a vane hinged to one side of said frame a horizontal shaft extending out from the opposite side of said frame adapted to carry a wind-wheel, means for operating the vane to throw the wind-wheel to and from the wind, means for securing the movable mechanism to the derrick, and means for operating a main shaft vertically by said mechanism, all substantially as shown and described.

2. In a windmill mechanism the combination with a derrick or posts A, a circular plate secured 011 top of the posts, an oppositely-disposed plate covering the stationary plate, with a flange extending down and around the periphery of the lower plate, means for revolubly connecting and moving the upper plate over the lower plate; aframe 10 secured to and rising above the movable plate, a circular opening in said frame in which is mounted a fixed ring 11 provided with teeth; a circular plate 12 contacting with the fixed ring, and a gear-wheel 15 carried by the plate 12 and meshing with the teeth in the fixed ring; bevel gear-teeth formed on the face of the outer edge of the plate 12; a spider secured to the frame extending over the plate 12; an axle extending out from the center of the plate 12 and pivoted in said spider; a horizontal shaft pivoted in the spider and extending out therefrom carried in a suitable boxing; a bevel-pinion secured on said shaft adapted to engage the bevel gear-teeth on the plate 12, all substantially as shown and described.

23. In combination with a tower, of a windmill mechanism mounted thereon, a horizontal fixed plate and movable plate mounted thereon, a circular frame 10 rising from the movable plate, a fixed ring with internal teeth secured in said frame, a revoluble plate contacting with the fixed ring, bevel gear-teeth extending out from the edge of said plate, a pinion meshing with said teeth mounted at right angles thereto on a shaft adapted to be revolved by a wind-wheel, a spider mounted to said frame in which the plate 12 and the shaft 22 are journaled, a pivot extending in from said plate carrying the gear-wheel 15, an arm attached to said wheel 15, a pivot carried by said arm to which the shaft 19 is attached, means for revolving the shaft 22 whereby a vertical reciprocating motion is imparted to the shaft 19, all substantially as shown and described.

4. In a mechanism of the class described I the combination, of a derrick a fixed plate 1 and a movable plate mounted horizontally on the derrick, a frame rising from the movable plate, an arm carrying horizontally a shaft 22, a fixed ring secured in said frame, a wheel adapted to revolve in and around the interior of said ring, a plate, contacting with said ring, on which said wheel is pivoted, and means for revolving said plate at right angles to the horizontal shaft by means of a bevel-gear, all substantially as shown and described and for the purposes set forth.

5. In a windmill mechanism the combination, of a horizontal shaft operated by a windwheel attached thereto, a bevel gear-pinion carried by said shaft, a plate 12, mounted in a frame and a spider, provided with gearteeth meshing with said pinion, an epicycloidal mechanism operated by said plate,als0 mounted in said frame, and means for attaching a vertical shaft to said mechanism whereby it will be given a vertical oscillating movement, all substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES M. SMITH.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM E. WILLIAMS, JACOB H. JAMES. 

